1 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Titans Amy and Coach Mac Podcast, presented 2 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:17,239 Speaker 1: by Farm Bureau Health Plans. Need great healthcare coverage with 3 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:20,680 Speaker 1: an affordable price tag. Let Farm Bureau Health Plans coach 4 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:24,880 Speaker 1: you through it. They've been protecting Tennesseean's for seventy five years. 5 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Titans Amy and Coach Mac Podcast. I 6 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 1: am Amy Wells, joined of course by Coach Mac Mac. 7 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:34,520 Speaker 1: How you doing. We're doing great. Well, that's good. Great, Well, 8 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 1: that's good to hear because we are continuing through our 9 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: series Names you Should Know in the NFL, where we 10 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 1: are presenting you with names that we think you should 11 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:47,280 Speaker 1: know associated with the National Football League. It's not the 12 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:49,599 Speaker 1: most creative of titles. I think it's a great time, 13 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:51,760 Speaker 1: but I think it's effective. Well, it's a great title. 14 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: You explain exactly what it is. And we've got a 15 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: lot of cool people. We've had a lot of cool 16 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 1: people on these podcasts previously, and we continued and then 17 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: you came up with a nice idea for this part 18 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 1: of the series. Yeah. I kind of thought it would 19 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: be a good way to group everybody together, give us 20 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 1: a guiding light important people. So I'm excited about today's 21 00:01:11,840 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 1: guest because he is an important person. It is Darryl 22 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: better known as Moose Johnston. And if you're not familiar 23 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:24,200 Speaker 1: with our friend Moose, he's a two time Pro Bowl 24 00:01:24,360 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 1: fullback who won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys. 25 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:30,440 Speaker 1: He spent a decade in the league, and then he 26 00:01:30,520 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 1: transitioned into broadcasting, which is where a lot of our 27 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:38,080 Speaker 1: listeners probably know him better. He joined NFL on Fox 28 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:41,120 Speaker 1: as an analyst in two thousand and one after spending 29 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,480 Speaker 1: a year as an analyst for CBS in two thousand. 30 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:48,760 Speaker 1: Aside from his broadcasting duties, Moose has also played an 31 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: incredibly active role in some of the other football leagues, 32 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 1: such as the AAF and the XFL. He currently serves 33 00:01:56,240 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 1: as the executive vice president of the US and as 34 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: a player, Mac Moose really was an important contributor to 35 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: the game of football. Tell me why he was critical 36 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: to their offense because that that offense that Norv Turner 37 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:14,800 Speaker 1: ran was was fullback centric. It was an eye formation offense. 38 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 1: You know, Emma Smith was the tailback, but Moose was 39 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 1: the fullback. And so first of all, you not only 40 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 1: had had to have somebody that could line up in 41 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 1: the eye formation, you know, and block, but you also 42 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:27,239 Speaker 1: the eye formation, the play action off of what Norv 43 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:30,800 Speaker 1: Turner did with Eightman, you know as the quarterback of course, 44 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 1: with Emmett Smith as a running back. And then you know, uh, 45 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 1: Michael Irving, Uh that that whole group, that that whole 46 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: triplet group, and their offense was so effective because it 47 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:42,800 Speaker 1: was a it was a run based offense, but the 48 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 1: play action and the play action that came off of 49 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 1: it was devastating. And so when you look at Moose's career, 50 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 1: his catches as a fullback are unbelievable and and what 51 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 1: he added and you talked to Emmett Smith, I coached 52 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 1: him at you know they're at Arizona when when you 53 00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 1: know when I signed him when I was a head 54 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 1: coach there after the Boys had let him go. And 55 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 1: he gives Moose Johnson, he gave him so much credit, 56 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 1: you know, when he was into his All of Fame speech, 57 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: because Moose was a catalyst for a lot of that offense. 58 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:12,079 Speaker 1: And that offense was really fullback centric and you can 59 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 1: still see some of it now in the National Football League, 60 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:17,240 Speaker 1: especially with some of these West Coast teams that are 61 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:19,520 Speaker 1: still using the fullback not only as a blocker, but 62 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:22,120 Speaker 1: as a pass receiver, you know, either removed or in 63 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 1: the backfield. Moose was all of that, and he was 64 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:27,880 Speaker 1: a really really good player for a long time. And 65 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:31,200 Speaker 1: so when you talk to anybody that intricately knows what 66 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:34,000 Speaker 1: went on with those Cowboy Championship years, they will point 67 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 1: to Moose Johnson as being a very integral part of it. Well. 68 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:39,400 Speaker 1: And it's interesting that he was a fullback because in 69 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 1: the National Football League as it stands right now, you 70 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 1: don't see as many fullbacks, and teams are very either 71 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: they love the fullback position and want to use it 72 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 1: in its I guess, like traditional form, or they don't 73 00:03:53,960 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 1: really love the fullback position and try to turn it 74 00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 1: into a hybrid bunch of difference things. And so I 75 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 1: think that having someone celebrated who is your traditional fullback 76 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: who made a huge impact, I mean, Mouse Johnson is 77 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:12,960 Speaker 1: one of the reasons that Pro Bowl rosters included a 78 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:16,679 Speaker 1: fullback because he couldn't get to the Pro Bowl because 79 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 1: he didn't have the running back numbers. No, that's absolutely correct, 80 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 1: and as you said, that's that's so very true. And 81 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 1: now let's talk some ball a minute. Most of the 82 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,280 Speaker 1: most of the league now is eleven and twelve personnel, 83 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:31,600 Speaker 1: which is you know, either three wides, one tied end 84 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:34,039 Speaker 1: and one back or two tight ends, two wides and 85 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 1: one back. But the twenty one personnel, which is standard 86 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: personnel as to how people still designated, is a tailback, 87 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,160 Speaker 1: a running back, and a fullback, then one tied end 88 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 1: and two wide receivers. And so for twenty one personnel 89 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 1: based teams, it's it was. It was very important to 90 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:53,599 Speaker 1: have your fullback still be able to be that fifth 91 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:56,279 Speaker 1: receiver because you've got five eligible and so if the 92 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,840 Speaker 1: fullback is only a blocker and is a stationary player, 93 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 1: well then you're pretty much limiting yourself. That was not 94 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 1: the way North Turner's offense worked. The fullback was very 95 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:07,880 Speaker 1: much involved. When you ever, when you I defense the 96 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:09,919 Speaker 1: Cowboys for a lot of years, you know, when I 97 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:11,919 Speaker 1: was with the Bears, then when I was with the Cardinals, 98 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 1: because the Cardinals at that time we're still in the 99 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 1: NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys, so we played him 100 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:18,479 Speaker 1: twice a year. So you had to have a plan 101 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 1: as far as to how by downing distance, how you 102 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 1: were going to defend the fullback and the fullback in 103 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 1: the passing game was an important part of it, coming 104 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:28,280 Speaker 1: off of the running game. And so yeah, I mean 105 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 1: Moose was the best, you know, during those periods of 106 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 1: time when he played amy, he was the best at 107 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: that position. And so he's a very unique player in 108 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:39,600 Speaker 1: the National Football League. Well, and now he is transitioned 109 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:43,680 Speaker 1: into broadcasting, which is something that he is really a 110 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 1: familiar face to current football fans because they see him 111 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:50,840 Speaker 1: on TV so often. What is it about him? Do 112 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 1: you think that makes him such a good broadcaster? Really smart, 113 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:57,680 Speaker 1: really smart, and he's able to express it, and he's 114 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 1: able to express it, you know, in terms. I mean, 115 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 1: he wasn't he wasn't that big glory player, but he 116 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 1: was able to absorb all of the offense. He's able 117 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 1: to absorb how you attack defenses. But he's also able 118 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:09,479 Speaker 1: to express it. I mean, that's what you have to 119 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 1: do as a broadcaster. Be able to express it to 120 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 1: the audience in terms that they can understand, and not 121 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: try to get too far above anybody's head and then 122 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:19,479 Speaker 1: not try to get you know, too low, but try 123 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:23,360 Speaker 1: to be interested in what you do and plus in 124 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:26,159 Speaker 1: the business that everybody likes Moose. He's a good person. 125 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:29,279 Speaker 1: You know, he's very trustworthy. You can trust him. That's 126 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:31,480 Speaker 1: why he has you know, did a nice job as 127 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 1: a broadcaster. That's why he has held these executive positions 128 00:06:35,240 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 1: in these alternate leagues now too, because people trust him 129 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: and he knows a lot of people. He knows what 130 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 1: he's doing. He's very diligent in what he He just 131 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:47,560 Speaker 1: took all the attributes that made him such a contributing 132 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: factor as a fullback to one of the better teams 133 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: in the in the history during that time in the 134 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:55,239 Speaker 1: National Football League and taking it into his executive rules 135 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 1: and so he's a good person. Well, you talk about 136 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:01,920 Speaker 1: those alternative football leagues, he has had such a key 137 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 1: role in a lot of them with promoting the game 138 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 1: of football overall, not just at the NFL level, but 139 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: at some of the auxiliary levels as well. Why is 140 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: that so important, Well, it's extremely important because, first of all, 141 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: when you're starting these you know, as you call him, 142 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 1: auxiliary leagues, you know, you have to be able to 143 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 1: gather people that have experience, well experience people in the 144 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 1: National Football League aren't going to coalesce and come around 145 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:31,560 Speaker 1: you unless they know that you know what you're doing, 146 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 1: and unless they trust you people trust Moose. Moose is 147 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: a good friend of mine. I mean I can you know, 148 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 1: call him at any time whenever he would come through 149 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:41,000 Speaker 1: here when he was doing Fox before the broadcast or 150 00:07:41,040 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 1: the nights before we I mean we would have a 151 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 1: lot of conversations. I mean I was invited to you know, 152 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:50,440 Speaker 1: several Fox Christmas parties when they came in here to 153 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 1: do games. He is a person that you just you 154 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 1: just you innately trust because he is he's very sincere, 155 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 1: he's very honest, and he's very knowledgeable. So he can 156 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 1: he can get their people that have been in the 157 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 1: league at various positions that know what they are doing. 158 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 1: And so, I mean that's why and then that's why 159 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 1: the networks that are backing some of these as you 160 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 1: call them, auxiliary leagues trust him because he's done such 161 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 1: a good job with them. They've seen his work ethic 162 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 1: and what he is and what he stands for and 163 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: how people react to him. Then they're willing to put 164 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 1: him in these executive positions in these leagues. Currently, he's 165 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 1: doing a lot of work with the USFL, which is 166 00:08:27,240 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 1: really exciting. Tell me a little bit about the USFL 167 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:34,079 Speaker 1: and what they are doing and what that brand is 168 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: building right now. Well, you know, first of all, they've 169 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 1: got they've got the backing of Fox, which is important. 170 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:41,839 Speaker 1: I went to their draft, you know, they had a draft. 171 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 1: They're all going to be based in Birmingham this year. 172 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:47,120 Speaker 1: They've they've taken the original names of the original USFL, 173 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:49,960 Speaker 1: taking eight of those teams. They're all going to be 174 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 1: centered in Birmingham for their first year. Players and coaches 175 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 1: are staying down there. They're staying in Birmingham. So Fox 176 00:08:57,160 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: has really done a nice job and Moose is a 177 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:02,040 Speaker 1: big part of this. Most of these leagues, like the Alliance. 178 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: The Alliance was a really good league football wise, but 179 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:08,760 Speaker 1: funding wise, you know, they got at over their skis. 180 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:10,840 Speaker 1: The people that were in charge at the top funding 181 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: wise got out over their skis and so all of 182 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: a sudden they had overpromised and then underdelivered on the money. 183 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:18,960 Speaker 1: Well Fox is not going to do that. And so 184 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:21,319 Speaker 1: one thing they're doing they're cutting down on their travel 185 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: expenses because everybody's gonna be in Birmingham. You know, the 186 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 1: coaches they're all staying down there in one hotel, the 187 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 1: players are all staying in another hotel. They're going to 188 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 1: play at the University of South Alabama Birmingham Stadium, Protective Stadium, 189 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 1: that's about two blocks from where they're all staying. It's 190 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:42,719 Speaker 1: very cost effective, is what they're doing. But then what 191 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 1: Moose was able to do was gather coaches as head 192 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:49,319 Speaker 1: coaches that had a lot of experience as being head coaches, 193 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 1: some of the National Football League, some at the collegiate level, 194 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 1: but also some that had been you know, pioneers in 195 00:09:56,760 --> 00:09:59,559 Speaker 1: all of these other auxiliary leagues going all the way 196 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: back to to NFL Europe that understand what it takes 197 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,560 Speaker 1: to be able to put people together in this type 198 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 1: of the league. So he's gathered all those types of 199 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 1: people around him, and then you know, their draft was 200 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 1: very interesting. I mean they had thirty two rounds because 201 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: they had no players, so and then it was a 202 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 1: snake draft. You know, a snake draft means that they 203 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: went by position, and so if you have the first 204 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: pick in the first round, well then you're gonna have 205 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 1: the last pick in the second round. I mean, it 206 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 1: was very interesting. You know, I attended I attended the draft, 207 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: and because I know all the head coaches down there, 208 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:30,920 Speaker 1: and I know moves very well, and he said You're 209 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: more than welcome at any time. We're you know, to 210 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,120 Speaker 1: come in here and just to look and if you 211 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 1: have any ideas and thoughts. He put he got personnel 212 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: people together. Each team's got a personnel person So but 213 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: they're being very cost effective and very cost conscious this 214 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:49,319 Speaker 1: first year, and it gives it gives people a chance. Look, 215 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: it's a second and a third chance for these players, 216 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: and it's also a chance for some support staff and 217 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:59,640 Speaker 1: some young coaches as assistant coaches. Each team can have 218 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: six assistance to be able to get professional experience. And 219 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,439 Speaker 1: so it's just more chances in football. I'm always for 220 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:09,559 Speaker 1: more football job chances, you know, for everybody. And so 221 00:11:09,840 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 1: this one I was impressed not only with Moose, but 222 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 1: with the people, the Fox executives that were down there 223 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 1: and how they're going to do it and it's going 224 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 1: to be fun. All right, Let's just stop with all 225 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 1: of this conversation, get right to our chat with Daryl 226 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:35,679 Speaker 1: Moose Johnson Mac. We are joined by a great in 227 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 1: so many different ways. Darryl Moose Johnston is here with us. Daryl, 228 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:42,959 Speaker 1: thank you so much for taking the time to hang 229 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:46,360 Speaker 1: out with us a little bit. To start, there are 230 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:48,920 Speaker 1: so many things that you're involved in right now, especially 231 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:53,320 Speaker 1: with all of the different football leagues and different programs. 232 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:55,840 Speaker 1: But we have to talk about your career a little bit. 233 00:11:56,120 --> 00:11:59,199 Speaker 1: How much has the successful career that you had as 234 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,679 Speaker 1: a player impacted what you have been able to do 235 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 1: right now with all of these different leagues. Oh my gosh, 236 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:08,840 Speaker 1: I would have to say it would be the driving force. 237 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:11,520 Speaker 1: You know. I don't think any of these opportunities would 238 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:13,359 Speaker 1: have been there if I did not have the experience 239 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 1: of having the opportunity to play in the NFL, you know, 240 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 1: to be around great coaches, you know, throughout my career 241 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 1: and you know, learn from them. You know, the game 242 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:23,599 Speaker 1: has been very, very good to me. There's also you know, 243 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:25,520 Speaker 1: kind of paying back and helping out others. There's that 244 00:12:25,679 --> 00:12:28,240 Speaker 1: component to it. But yeah, I wouldn't have these platforms 245 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: that had not been for my playing career without a doubt, 246 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: you know what, a little bit more on your playing career. 247 00:12:32,720 --> 00:12:34,480 Speaker 1: The thing, of course that you were second round pick 248 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:37,080 Speaker 1: in eighty nine. I started in the league in eighty six, 249 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:40,319 Speaker 1: so I've coached several defenses, you know, against the Cowboys 250 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: with you as a member. When I was coaching the 251 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 1: thing that stands out to me. And I think for 252 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:47,960 Speaker 1: our listeners, they'll like to know about your career and 253 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:52,199 Speaker 1: and and for a fullback and I formation fullback moose 254 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:54,719 Speaker 1: because you know they're they're with North Turner. I mean, 255 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:56,920 Speaker 1: I don't know how many times you've swabbed a hole 256 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 1: with a running the power. Oh, I mean think about it, 257 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 1: all those all of those times that that you did that. 258 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 1: But when you were not only a guy that could 259 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:06,680 Speaker 1: move people, to move people out in the run game, 260 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,360 Speaker 1: you had you had two thousand and two hundred and 261 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 1: twenty seven receiving yards as a fullback. That's amazing, it 262 00:13:14,679 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 1: really is. You will never ever see that again. But 263 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:20,200 Speaker 1: if people don't understand Ernie Zampez offense and then the 264 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 1: North Turner offense, that was a huge part of that offense, 265 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 1: especially first and second down, right, Yeah, yeah, it was. 266 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:29,680 Speaker 1: It was actually you know, kind of that process you 267 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 1: go through. And I felt really comfortable when Norv arrived 268 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 1: in Dallas because he started to show us the film 269 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:37,079 Speaker 1: of what they had done with the La Rams and 270 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 1: how that offense was built. And I started to watch 271 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 1: the skill set of the players in my position, and 272 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: I felt really good about what my role could be 273 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:49,199 Speaker 1: in this offense, because it really kind of emphasized the 274 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 1: strength of what I felt I had at that position, 275 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:54,679 Speaker 1: the number one a blocker, number two of you know, 276 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 1: as a pass receiver out of the backfield. And I 277 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:59,319 Speaker 1: didn't get a lot of that in college because we 278 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:01,679 Speaker 1: were an option based offense in college. So I had 279 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 1: a couple of catches, but but nothing that they would 280 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:06,199 Speaker 1: lead anybody in the NFL to think that I had 281 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:08,920 Speaker 1: good hands. But you know, I grew up in the 282 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: backyards playing football. That's where the love of the game 283 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: started for me. And there, you know, you're you're not 284 00:14:15,320 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 1: running the football, you're throwing it. So you know, I 285 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 1: developed my ability to catch the ball, you know, as 286 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 1: a young boy growing up. And you know, it's fortunate 287 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 1: to be around really good coaches when I was younger. 288 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 1: The touch of the right techniques. You know, where your 289 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 1: hands should be, how to adjust to a ball, you 290 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:32,440 Speaker 1: know that's that's coming over the outside. Show them when 291 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 1: you've tracked it from the inside. Where do your hands 292 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:35,920 Speaker 1: going the balls low? Where do your hands go when 293 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: it's off to the side. And I tell people all 294 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:40,360 Speaker 1: the time, the hardest ball to catch is the ball 295 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:42,520 Speaker 1: that's thrown right into the middle of your chest because 296 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 1: you're kind of in no man's land. But yeah, I 297 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 1: developed all those skills, you know, as a young boy 298 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 1: growing up in Youngstown, New York, outside of utter fall. 299 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 1: So it was a part of my game that just 300 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: never had the opportunity to be demonstrated at Syracuse. But 301 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:57,640 Speaker 1: I was really happy when Norv got there because I 302 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 1: could see the opportunity. I wasn't going to get a 303 00:15:00,440 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: lot of carries, but I was going to get a 304 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 1: lot of opportunity in the passing game. And it's one 305 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 1: of the things I took a lot of pride in 306 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 1: and I really worked on my route running. Genovichick was 307 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 1: really really helpful to me in teaching me, you know, 308 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 1: how to run routes based on you know, my speed, 309 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 1: my size, you know, what was I going to do 310 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:19,440 Speaker 1: that was going to threaten a defender? And he was 311 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:22,040 Speaker 1: really really helpful in those aspects. What was it about 312 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 1: those offenses? Mac? You alluded to it a little bit 313 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:27,840 Speaker 1: that there were very specific types of offenses that made 314 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 1: a fullback so successful. What was it? What was that key? 315 00:15:30,720 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 1: It was just fortunate too, because you know, when when 316 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 1: Norv came in. You know, obviously I've been there for 317 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:39,320 Speaker 1: two years prior to Norv's arrival. So you know, a 318 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 1: lot of times when a coach comes in, he's got 319 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 1: he's got to kind of move and shift and and 320 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:45,760 Speaker 1: do some different things. Personnel whis because he's got to 321 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 1: find those guys that fitted systems. So for me, you know, 322 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 1: the biggest thing was going to be the blocking component, 323 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:55,480 Speaker 1: you know, in that offense. And it's not a glorious job, 324 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: but you know, it's something that was was prominent in 325 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:00,120 Speaker 1: my role at Syracuse, So it was something I was 326 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 1: very comfortable with. You know, that was the big part there. 327 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:04,280 Speaker 1: With the blocking. I tell people all the time, you know, 328 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: it's more of a mentality than there is technique. There's 329 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:09,720 Speaker 1: a little bit of technique that you can use, but 330 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 1: it's it's a willingness. It's a mentality to become a 331 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:16,480 Speaker 1: blocker in the NFL and B and be a good blocker. Well, clearly, Moose, 332 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 1: you took that mentality as a second round pick. You're 333 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: at the Cowboys from eighty nine to ninety nine, and 334 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:25,440 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna say this, and I again, I coached 335 00:16:25,480 --> 00:16:28,560 Speaker 1: a lot of defenses against you and the Cowboys, and 336 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: you you were an issue that defenses had to deal with. 337 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 1: But three time Super Bowl champion, two time Pro Bowler, 338 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,520 Speaker 1: all of those things. What a great career. But let's 339 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 1: let's let's switch now to your career now as an executive. 340 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: When you started, you know, you were with Fox clearly 341 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:46,440 Speaker 1: doing games as a color analyst. But you've been an 342 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:49,600 Speaker 1: executive now for the San Antonio Commanders, you know, as 343 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 1: a general manager twenty eighteen and twenty nineteen for the 344 00:16:52,560 --> 00:16:56,480 Speaker 1: Dallas Renegades, director of player personnel. And now something that 345 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: I really want to dive into that I was at 346 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:03,280 Speaker 1: the us fls inaugural draft down there in Birmingham. You 347 00:17:03,280 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 1: are now the executive vice president of Football Ops for 348 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 1: the new USFL. Talk to us a little bit, not 349 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:13,119 Speaker 1: only about the USFL, but just you what you've learned 350 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:16,200 Speaker 1: as an executive, because that's a different that's an entirely 351 00:17:16,280 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 1: different lane to be in. Yes it is, Yes it is. 352 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 1: I've been blessed. I've been very fortunate to work with 353 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 1: the people that I have Prior to this opportunity with 354 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:29,520 Speaker 1: the USFL. My head coach in San Antonio was Mike Riley, 355 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:32,240 Speaker 1: and Mike Riley is with us again in the USFL. 356 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 1: And when I got hired to be the general manager 357 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 1: alongside Mike Riley, I had Andy Reid, Jason Garrett North Turner, 358 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 1: I had all these people reach it out to me 359 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:44,400 Speaker 1: or I have a tremendous amount of respect for that said, 360 00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:46,399 Speaker 1: you couldn't have found a better coach to be partnered 361 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:48,560 Speaker 1: with your first chance at this. You know, Mike Riley 362 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:50,840 Speaker 1: is the nicest man in football. It was it was 363 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 1: the most common phrase said, Mike Riley is the nicest 364 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:57,440 Speaker 1: man in football. And then unfortunately that that opportunity didn't 365 00:17:57,520 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: didn't have the staying power. So we'll move on to 366 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:01,959 Speaker 1: the XFL. And it's really fortunate to work with Bob Stoops. 367 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 1: I've never really had an opportunity to get to know 368 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:07,440 Speaker 1: coach Stoups, you know, prior to that, and just really 369 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:09,720 Speaker 1: really had a great time with him. So learned a 370 00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 1: bunch from Mike Riley, learned a bunch from Bob Stoops. 371 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:15,119 Speaker 1: And now you kind of take that to the league 372 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:18,080 Speaker 1: level where you're going to have the opportunity to influence 373 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 1: a lot of things that happen. You know, with every franchise. 374 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 1: It's going to be a part of the USFL and 375 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 1: we're down in Birmingham. We've got eight teams and what 376 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:30,679 Speaker 1: we're doing at the league level is kind of building 377 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 1: it from the ground up, So we're gonna have a 378 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 1: lot of input onto how we feel things should work. 379 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:37,880 Speaker 1: You know, what we did well and the other two 380 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:41,440 Speaker 1: opportunities what we did poorly that we learned from there, 381 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 1: you know, doing everything we can to make this this 382 00:18:44,320 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 1: opportunity successful for the USFL and for Fox. And it 383 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:50,240 Speaker 1: starts off with the head coaches, and one of them 384 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:52,439 Speaker 1: is Jeff Fisher, who you know well. Coach. He's going 385 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:54,400 Speaker 1: to be such a tremendous asset for us because it's 386 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 1: not only what he brings as a head coach, it's 387 00:18:56,480 --> 00:18:58,439 Speaker 1: what Jeff Fisher brings as a guy who's been in 388 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:01,320 Speaker 1: the NFL for for twenty plus years, you know, as 389 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:03,679 Speaker 1: a player and a coach. He sees it from both sides. 390 00:19:03,720 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 1: He understands the day to day routine of the player 391 00:19:05,840 --> 00:19:08,120 Speaker 1: and the staff. We've got a great mix. Todd Haley's 392 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:10,920 Speaker 1: is our other NFL experience coach. You know, We've got 393 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:13,520 Speaker 1: Kirby Wilson with his first opportunity to be a head coach. 394 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:16,439 Speaker 1: As I mentioned Mike Riley. We've got Bart Andrews, you know, 395 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:18,960 Speaker 1: who's been you know, in the NFL, in the CFL, 396 00:19:19,119 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 1: in NFL Europe. He's experienced a number of different opportunities 397 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 1: to see how all these different leagues work and function, 398 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:28,480 Speaker 1: and he's gained a lot of experience. We've got Kevin 399 00:19:28,560 --> 00:19:32,680 Speaker 1: Tubbling down in Houston Forrest Larry Fedora, who's I really 400 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:34,719 Speaker 1: enjoyed get a chance to meet. Skip Holtz is going 401 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,560 Speaker 1: to be the coach of the Stallions of Birmingham, the 402 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:40,520 Speaker 1: home team hosting the entire league, and then totally down 403 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 1: in Tampa Bay. So the great thing about those eight 404 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:45,600 Speaker 1: head coaches is they get what we're trying to do 405 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:48,160 Speaker 1: and they understand it's not going to be perfect every day. 406 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:50,639 Speaker 1: Some days that might not even be all that good, 407 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:52,959 Speaker 1: but they just come to work every day. They're very, 408 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:56,760 Speaker 1: very helpful to us. They've been phenomenal teammates, and I 409 00:19:56,840 --> 00:19:58,920 Speaker 1: just can't wait to see what all eight of these 410 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 1: guys do with the players. You know what Moose and 411 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 1: you know, of course, full disclosure, you know how close 412 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:05,399 Speaker 1: I am with Jeff Fisher, but I was able to 413 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:07,879 Speaker 1: come down to your draft But what I really loved 414 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:10,879 Speaker 1: is over there going through before the draft, I know 415 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,160 Speaker 1: every one of those coaches from all of my time 416 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:14,879 Speaker 1: in the league. I know every one of those coaches, 417 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 1: and that's what impressed me. Even the way your personnel 418 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:20,640 Speaker 1: set up is you've got people that know the business, 419 00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:25,360 Speaker 1: and that was I really appreciated that and enjoyed just 420 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:29,159 Speaker 1: observing that. I really enjoyed the draft because you know, 421 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:31,760 Speaker 1: I've been through thirty five NFL drafts so far in 422 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 1: my career, an NFL draft, but your draft was a 423 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 1: little bit different, a little bit unique. It was a 424 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: snake draft by position. Talk to our listeners about that 425 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:41,959 Speaker 1: a little bit. And then what I want to end 426 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 1: up with is I want people from Nashville to drive 427 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 1: down to Birmingham to watch this. This is gonna be fun. No, 428 00:20:48,200 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 1: it's gonna be great. It's gonna be great. Yeah, everybody, Nashville, Atlanta, 429 00:20:51,560 --> 00:20:54,640 Speaker 1: everybody that's closed and in drivable please come and see us. 430 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 1: You pointed out that you know the eight head coaches, 431 00:20:57,000 --> 00:20:59,879 Speaker 1: and you know football wise and all the skills that 432 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,880 Speaker 1: they bring. So Jim Pop is a guy that came 433 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 1: into our organization and Jim Pop, Jim Pop was a 434 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:08,680 Speaker 1: GM in the CFL at age twenty six. He's won 435 00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:11,080 Speaker 1: five Great Cups. You know, he's been you know, at 436 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 1: league level, at franchise level. He's got so much experience 437 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:18,000 Speaker 1: and so much wisdom. And it was actually Jim Pop's 438 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:21,600 Speaker 1: brain child to create the draft, and it's an analytical 439 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:25,200 Speaker 1: modified snake, so it's a little bit more than just 440 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:27,320 Speaker 1: a snake. And what he was able to do, and 441 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:29,360 Speaker 1: I kept trying to poke holes in it and try 442 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 1: to find out where the weakness was. And the more 443 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:33,680 Speaker 1: I did that, the more I separated the top four 444 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:36,679 Speaker 1: teams from the bottom four teams. And he's got it perfect. 445 00:21:36,760 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 1: Like if you do it, if you do a cumulative 446 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:42,920 Speaker 1: summation of every pick made in the draft, every team 447 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 1: comes out to have the exact same number, which to 448 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:48,360 Speaker 1: me was pretty remarkable. So I know that there were 449 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 1: times when some of our coaches were like, you know, 450 00:21:52,119 --> 00:21:55,400 Speaker 1: is huck I'm picking fourth on you know, the majority 451 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:57,160 Speaker 1: of the draft, and it's like, well, that's to get 452 00:21:57,200 --> 00:21:59,920 Speaker 1: that balance, you know, That's that's how it's worked out. 453 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,040 Speaker 1: So we really felt like we created a lot of equity. 454 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:05,280 Speaker 1: I was really impressed with the head coaches how they 455 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:07,919 Speaker 1: how they empowered their positional coaches, you know how they 456 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 1: were set up on zoom calls, you know, during the draft, 457 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:13,200 Speaker 1: getting that information, letting them know who had been off 458 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:15,040 Speaker 1: the board, you know, where we're going to go to next. 459 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:17,240 Speaker 1: And as you pointed out, we did it positionally because 460 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 1: we're building eight franchises from the ground up, and you know, 461 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:23,240 Speaker 1: we we were we were hoping to be able to 462 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 1: kind of minimize you know, extreme swings and maybe the 463 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:30,920 Speaker 1: talent level between the teams by going position by position 464 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:35,119 Speaker 1: and starting off with those key ones that everybody talks about. Quarterback, RUSSI, 465 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:39,399 Speaker 1: end tackle, corner, wide receiver, you know, to kind of 466 00:22:39,440 --> 00:22:43,000 Speaker 1: start with those and allow every team to draft, you know, 467 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:46,199 Speaker 1: through those positions where you couldn't you know, maybe all 468 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:48,240 Speaker 1: of a sudden you've grabbed, you know, in the first 469 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:50,840 Speaker 1: four rounds, you grabbed you know, four of the best 470 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:52,960 Speaker 1: guys that we had in the draft because you know, 471 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 1: you had the time, you had the contacts in your 472 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:57,639 Speaker 1: network to control that. So it was one of the 473 00:22:57,680 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 1: things that we were hoping to do, based on what 474 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 1: Jim pop foot in there to set everything up, you know, 475 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:04,919 Speaker 1: to make sure the equity was there. But then empowering 476 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:07,560 Speaker 1: the staffs and in all of our team directors to 477 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 1: work with our head coaches to find those players. Well, 478 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:12,760 Speaker 1: I was there. It was extremely organized. I was extremely 479 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,520 Speaker 1: impressed and I will be back. Believe me, Moose, You're 480 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:18,080 Speaker 1: going to be seeing me in Birmingham. One of the 481 00:23:18,160 --> 00:23:21,120 Speaker 1: things that I think is so cool about the way 482 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:24,000 Speaker 1: that this is structure is that everything is happening in Birmingham. 483 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:27,280 Speaker 1: Where did that decision come from to have everyone based 484 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:30,040 Speaker 1: in and play in Birmingham all the time, no matter 485 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:34,359 Speaker 1: where their actual franchise is representing. I think the big 486 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 1: thing is just financial stability. In year one as a startup, 487 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 1: I think we've seen the other two leagues come out 488 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 1: of the gate and go right into the home cities. 489 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:45,879 Speaker 1: And I can tell you this right now. We really 490 00:23:45,880 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 1: felt in the Alliance when we got down there at 491 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:52,560 Speaker 1: training camp and we had all eight teams in San Antonio, 492 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:54,880 Speaker 1: we had made a mistake. We never should have broke 493 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:56,920 Speaker 1: San Antonio that first year. We should have stayed there. 494 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:59,480 Speaker 1: We should have played our season at the Alamodome. That's 495 00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:01,600 Speaker 1: one of the really important things that we have to 496 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:04,240 Speaker 1: do with the USFL is making sure you know some 497 00:24:04,320 --> 00:24:06,040 Speaker 1: of the lessons that we're learning some of the good 498 00:24:06,040 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 1: ideas that came out of the other two ventures. You know, 499 00:24:08,359 --> 00:24:11,320 Speaker 1: we have the opportunity to implement those. And so for me, 500 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:14,560 Speaker 1: the fact that we are in Birmingham, in the state 501 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:17,359 Speaker 1: of Alabama, where I'm gonna do a little bit of 502 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:20,080 Speaker 1: bragging right now. Coach, I still think Texas is number one, 503 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:22,440 Speaker 1: but Alabama is a close number two when it comes 504 00:24:22,440 --> 00:24:25,199 Speaker 1: to football and the love of football. So you know, 505 00:24:25,560 --> 00:24:27,480 Speaker 1: we're not quite Texas, but we're awfull close in the 506 00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 1: state of Alabama. You know, they've embraced it. They wanted 507 00:24:29,800 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 1: to be a part of this, they wanted to host it. 508 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:34,919 Speaker 1: They've got a brand new stadium in Birmingham that's phenomenal. 509 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:37,480 Speaker 1: It's the right size for what we're trying to do. 510 00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:39,960 Speaker 1: And I think being able to have everybody centralized there, 511 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,280 Speaker 1: you know, it just it really facilitates everything from a 512 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:45,360 Speaker 1: financial aspect and really gives us that chance to get 513 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:48,360 Speaker 1: through year one and be on really really sound footing 514 00:24:48,400 --> 00:24:51,359 Speaker 1: and perhaps, you know, we come back in year two 515 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:54,360 Speaker 1: and really kind of go through it again and make 516 00:24:54,359 --> 00:24:56,280 Speaker 1: sure we get on really really good footing, you know, 517 00:24:56,320 --> 00:24:58,480 Speaker 1: before we break out and send these franchises to the 518 00:24:58,520 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 1: host city. So I think it's gonna be interesting. Is 519 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,560 Speaker 1: we evaluate, you know, do our after action review at 520 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:06,040 Speaker 1: the end of the season and really see what's what's 521 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:08,080 Speaker 1: best for the USFL. You know, do we say in 522 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:10,320 Speaker 1: Birmingham one more year and really kind of get this 523 00:25:10,359 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 1: thing dialed in before we break franchises out, or or 524 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:15,560 Speaker 1: do we feel comfortable we can do that right now. 525 00:25:15,760 --> 00:25:18,080 Speaker 1: We've mentioned you've been involved in so many of these 526 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:21,760 Speaker 1: different teams, whether it be the XFL, the af USFL, 527 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:24,000 Speaker 1: all of these different leagues. Why do you think these 528 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:27,400 Speaker 1: are so important to the game of football. I think 529 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:29,720 Speaker 1: there's been a gap in the development of the players 530 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:34,080 Speaker 1: into the finer details of the positions, especially quarterback and 531 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:36,680 Speaker 1: offensive line, you know, and those are you know, two 532 00:25:36,680 --> 00:25:38,720 Speaker 1: of the more important positions for the quality of the 533 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:42,320 Speaker 1: games in DNP what we expect as fans of the 534 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:44,960 Speaker 1: game of football. So when the college is really restricted 535 00:25:45,040 --> 00:25:48,000 Speaker 1: time on the field, and then the NFL followed shortly 536 00:25:48,040 --> 00:25:50,440 Speaker 1: after that restricting time on the field, what we were 537 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:54,639 Speaker 1: doing is we were prohibiting the coaches from really developing 538 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:57,680 Speaker 1: these players, you know, in individual periods, you know, really 539 00:25:57,760 --> 00:25:59,640 Speaker 1: kind of grinding them a little bit in the film 540 00:25:59,720 --> 00:26:01,600 Speaker 1: room and just all the different things that you had 541 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 1: to do, you know, to become a successful professional football player. 542 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:08,440 Speaker 1: What these leagues are affording the opportunity for these players 543 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:10,040 Speaker 1: to do is if they don't make it in the 544 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:14,280 Speaker 1: NFL because there's something wrong with their game, but there's 545 00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:16,680 Speaker 1: not the time to correct it, and then sometimes it's 546 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:19,680 Speaker 1: just a question of experience. Like our quarterbacks, you know, 547 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:23,200 Speaker 1: we've we've got eight great quarterbacks, you know in our league. 548 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:26,760 Speaker 1: You know, several of them, you know, drafted by the NFL. 549 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:29,119 Speaker 1: You know, from the third round to the fifth round. 550 00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:31,440 Speaker 1: They've just got caught in the numbers game recently and 551 00:26:31,640 --> 00:26:34,360 Speaker 1: they haven't had the opportunity to get game reps. So 552 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,000 Speaker 1: this affords them the opportunity to come to the USFL 553 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:40,680 Speaker 1: and play in game conditions against good competition and put 554 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:43,560 Speaker 1: some good film back out there for the NFL to see. 555 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:45,879 Speaker 1: And that was one of the important things to get 556 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:48,760 Speaker 1: us to have those guys join us on our mission. 557 00:26:48,880 --> 00:26:51,119 Speaker 1: The other one is guys who just really in the 558 00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:54,639 Speaker 1: numbers game, haven't had that that first opportunity yet in 559 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:56,840 Speaker 1: the NFL. You know, they come in and it's ot 560 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:59,200 Speaker 1: a's or it's man camps, but you know, maybe a 561 00:26:59,240 --> 00:27:01,080 Speaker 1: little bit of training, but they've never really had that 562 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:03,119 Speaker 1: chance to really get into a season and to be 563 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:05,440 Speaker 1: a part of a team. We're giving them that opportunity 564 00:27:05,480 --> 00:27:08,400 Speaker 1: by showcasing their talents. So I think the biggest thing 565 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:10,640 Speaker 1: is is some of the key positions, the offensive line 566 00:27:10,640 --> 00:27:14,200 Speaker 1: and quarterback in particular. We're providing the opportunity for these 567 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:16,119 Speaker 1: guys to come into the USFL and really kind of 568 00:27:16,119 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 1: dial in on their craft. And that's why it was 569 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 1: so important for us to get the coaches that Mac 570 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:23,359 Speaker 1: talked about. You know, guys who've been around football, guys 571 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:25,199 Speaker 1: that he knows well. You know, they're going to have 572 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:27,440 Speaker 1: a network to get good coaches on their staff. They're 573 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:29,400 Speaker 1: all going to be good teachers, and we're gonna help 574 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:31,199 Speaker 1: these guys, you know, become the best players that they 575 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:34,399 Speaker 1: can be. Moose Johnson, thank you so much for taking 576 00:27:34,440 --> 00:27:36,760 Speaker 1: the time to talk with us. We're definitely making the 577 00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:39,040 Speaker 1: trip to Birmingham. We're just going to take a caravan 578 00:27:39,119 --> 00:27:43,840 Speaker 1: straight from Nashville. Absolutely, this has been fantastic to see 579 00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:46,800 Speaker 1: in Birmingham. You got a open arms coach when you 580 00:27:46,840 --> 00:27:57,159 Speaker 1: get there, Mac, that was so interesting. I'm I'm just 581 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,800 Speaker 1: loving this series. What a great idea I had. Let's 582 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:03,439 Speaker 1: let's all right now, every one of us. I know 583 00:28:03,520 --> 00:28:05,080 Speaker 1: we can't hear all of you know, we've got a 584 00:28:05,119 --> 00:28:09,280 Speaker 1: million listeners. Let's everybody stand stand ovation for Amy Wells 585 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:12,200 Speaker 1: and her great ideas which she has all the time. 586 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:17,639 Speaker 1: Can you hear the applause? Amy? Congratulations? I don't I 587 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:20,199 Speaker 1: don't need all of that. That's why you said it. 588 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:23,399 Speaker 1: I just want everyone to know that I am enjoying this, 589 00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:26,080 Speaker 1: and I hope that our million listeners are enjoying this 590 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:28,800 Speaker 1: as well, because really, I mean, that was a great 591 00:28:28,840 --> 00:28:32,960 Speaker 1: conversation and there's just it's amazing how these people have 592 00:28:33,080 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 1: touched so many different aspects of the national football So absolutely, 593 00:28:37,320 --> 00:28:39,600 Speaker 1: and those were the types of people that we kind 594 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:42,320 Speaker 1: of zeroed in on when we went up to the combine, 595 00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:44,800 Speaker 1: you know, and you said, can we get these this, 596 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:47,080 Speaker 1: this and this? And I've got a lot of names 597 00:28:47,080 --> 00:28:49,560 Speaker 1: in my phone, so yeah, we got it on. Dial 598 00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:52,160 Speaker 1: them up, let's go. We got them all. That's awesome. 599 00:28:52,560 --> 00:28:56,040 Speaker 1: Well for coach Mac, I'm Amy Wells, and also Darryl 600 00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:59,120 Speaker 1: moose Johnson, thank you for your participation as well, and 601 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 1: thank you guys for listening to the Titans Amy and 602 00:29:02,160 --> 00:29:04,640 Speaker 1: Coach Mack podcast. We'll catch you next time.